Most of our readers in Minnesota know that car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in America. But it can be difficult to grasp just how staggering the toll of car accidents is in this country.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average year in America sees over 32,000 fatalities in car accidents and about 2 million injuries. The CDC points out that in one year alone, 2013, the rate of deaths in car accidents in America was more than twice as high as other countries with comparable economies and standards of living.
So what causes all of these fatalities and injuries? The CDC reports that 33 percent of fatalities in car accidents were caused by drunk driving. Another 33 percent involved speeding. Another problem? Americans apparently use their front-seat seat belts less often than many other people in the world.
There is no doubt that the cause of car accidents is something that needs to be addressed, if at all possible. That is why we see states throughout the country passing legislation to crack down on drunk driving and distracted driving, while at the same time encouraging the use of seat belts and the appropriate car seats for children. Public awareness campaigns can be powerful and useful, but it is up to the drivers on our roadways to be sure that they are engaged in safe driving conduct if we are ever going to see a meaningful reduction in the number of injuries and fatalities that occur in car accidents.
Post Type: TOPICAL
